(12-13-2013)

Arnold Salazar was elected chair of the Board of Trustees for Adams State University at the board's regular meeting on campus, Dec. 13. Long-time trustee Tim Walters was elected vice chair. Both will serve two-year terms in those posts.

Tim Walters (left) and Arnold Salazar, both alumni of Adams State University, were elected vice chair and chair, respectively, of the ASU Board of Trustees.

The board also welcomed two new trustees, Kathy Rogers and Randy Wright, who replace current chair Steve Valdez and trustee Charles Scoggin, M.D., whose terms are completed. The board presented the outgoing trustees with a plaque in appreciation of their service, insights, and expertise, as well as a miniature bronze of Ol' Mose, by Jim Gilmore.

Salazar, a 1976 Adams State graduate, was recently appointed to a second term on the board. He is executive director of Colorado Health Partnerships, L.L.C. As board chair, he said he will draw on that experience in creating partnerships among institutions without diluting their individual identities.

"The paramount issue for this board is making a smooth transition in the university's presidential leadership," he said, referring to President David Svaldi's plan to retire prior to the fall 2015 semester. "The transition has to happen in a seamless way, to keep things moving, and it's important to have a good, cohesive board."

The president of Walters and Associates, Walters is a 1973 Adams State graduate who has served as a trustee since 1997, originally as part of the governing board of the College System of Colorado, then on Adams State's independent board. He served as board chair since 2002, and as chair from 2005 to 2010.

Steve Valdez completed his second term as a trustee for Adams State University, serving the last two years as board chair.

Valdez, a 1987 graduate of Adams State, served two terms on the board. Scoggin is completing ten years of service; he was one of the original trustees appointed when the state colleges were granted independent boards.

Adams State President David Svaldi (right) expresses his gratitude for the leadership and advice provided by Trustee Charles Scoggin, M.D., over the last decade.